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Please read the other blogs for some context on what i’m about to write. Although this deals primarily with the ACS Sitiawan Military Band, i do believe that whatever is said is pretty much applicable to all of us in our everyday lives and in dealing with everybody around us. So it is pretty
relevant to everyone whether in band or not. One reason why i’m posting this on my friendster blog (a very public blog) is so that i can share my sentiments with all of you be them band members or not. Do add me to friendster or send me a message if you’d lke to get to know me more.
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I was quite surprised to see the recent increase in posts with regards to the band and i was debating with myself whether or not to put in my two cents worth. After a while i guess i should just add my comments to the ensuing debate. Please bear in mind that these comments are my personal ones and does not in any way reflect the opinion or position of any organisation, individual, group etc etc etc.
ACS military band has had rough times many times throughout the year. in fact i beleive there hasn’t been a year where there was no problem within the band (rosy as my year was, there was some minor problems) however, i often find that the problems are pretty much solvable if you really do sit down and seek a solution, and really the solution lies with each of us. I’ll try somewhat to address the issues raised by my fellow band members (i still consider myself an acsian and an acs band member).
A band member’s responsibility
Every year, the band will have problems of members quitting or resigning particularly when the band needs them the most. Some would be forced to resign by their parents while others just quit for unknown reason. One of the main reason cited is more time needed for studies. To be honest, being a student, studies are the main priority of each student. The band, as passionate as we are about it, will not provide food and shelter for us nor will it provide a stable income (unles u count funeral ang pows as stable income). So it is really important for band members to study and yes, i do consider studying to be a valid reason. A lot of times, i feel quite angry and pissed when i see members hanging around the band room during lesson time just simply to skip class, doing things like polishing instruments when they really ought to be in class especially since the polishing can be done at any other time. And really, these are merely excuses to get out of class. Some of you who remember me, would remember me constantly chasing you guys backto class, especially afternoon session students who would like to loiter in the band room after recess.
On the issue of time management, for me, if i never went to band, the time would be wasted on other trivial matters like watching television, or sleeping and i wouldn’t realy spend the time studying. I beleive this is the case for many of you. Unless you can prove that when you’re not attending practises, you are studying and improving your results, to use studies as an excuse is not really valid.
Also, i feel that if you sign up as a bandmember, you have a responsibility to the band to fulfill your role. In the same way, many depend on you, i cannot reiterate again how important each and every member is to the band. to simply quit halfway is reallydisappointing to a lot of people. I know that bandmembers are one of the most active people in school, holding positions in many other societies etc but do not bite of more than you can chew. When you decide to take up the position, join the club, hold a post in whichever society, you have a responsibility to each of them , without neglecting the others. if you neglect the others then you are simply being irresponsible. Know your own capabilities. It’s like having children of your own (forwant of a better metaphor) you can’t love one more than the other, you have a responsibility to each and every one of them. If you can’t commit or can’t fulfill then DON’T JOIN right from the start and save all the trouble. Many of you know that i was actively involved in a few societies etc etc. But not many of you knew that i also rejected many posts etc because i felt that i coudln’t cope. I won’t say that i’m the best example that everybody follows (ie taking up so many things) . Different people have different capabilities, there are many who are more capable compraed to me, but i had to make sure that in everything i participated, i gave it my all and not do a half past six job. if you can’t do that then please don’t join.
In doing so also, i had to sacrifice a lot of things. When i’m not in school, i’m at home doing my work, studying. Suppers and late night meetings at 933 or wherever almost never happened. In class, i paid attention.
Truly, the best is for you yourself to be a responsible student,bandmember, son, daughter . Fulfill all your responsibilities and have some more maturity in your life then nobody can say anything against you.
On the issue of leadership
I have been always grateful for the opportunities presented to me in terms of leadership skills and experience. I was given the opportunity to lead the band when i was 16, to be involved in problem solving, planning etc. For everything that goes on in theband, a lot of work has been done unseen behind it. For example, when you guys had that camp in 2002…somebody had to go clean the toilets and fix the rubber hoses. But, what saddens me is that nowadays, leadership positions is expected, and also the full power that goes along with leadership. Somehow, every band member thinks that it is their RIGHT to be given positions when they’re in form 4 and also the POWER and AUTHORITY that comes along with this leadership. No, this is not right, The positions are not a privilege but a responsibility. They will be given to you if you portray yourself fit and mature for leadership, same with the authority. However, at 16 years old, many are still immature and have not the experience to lead their peers and juniors. In fact if you look around school, band is still one of the organisations that gives a lot of power to its committee compared to other organisation which is run by teachers themselves completely. To know if you’re of the calibre to be a leader, look at your track record, what you have done in the past. Next compare yourself to leaders that have gone before you to see whether you match up to them. I’m not talking about myself, but a good example will be Wai Hin from SMI, Chang Yung from ACS, Ban Guan from Sam Tet.
What is a good leader? Confucious said that leadership is by example and for me i hold this motto close to my heart. Whatever that i expect my members to do, i must be willing to do it myself, in fact i must lead my members into doing it. If i want my members to stand still for 2 hours, i must be willing to stand for 3 hours and i must prove it. Only then will i gain the RESPECT of my peers, respect for me and not for my position (there is a difference). During my time in the band, the rule was simple. You earned your promotion and the right to wear your ranks, but the ranks became a heavy responsibility. For punishment for example, if you were late, a new junior will run 1 round, whereas fo people with ranks, the punishment was multiplied by the number of stripes you wore. So if i had 4 stripes (sergeant major) for punishment i had to run 4 rounds for being late. If you want to be a leader you have to act like one and take everything with it the good and the bad. When i was the drum major, when i gave punishment to the whole band, i did the punishment myself becuase i was also a part of the band. To be a leader, you have to be willing to sacrifice everything for your members. To give an example (again not very suitable but i can’t htink of anyhting else) a leader is like the head, the father of the family. He will feed his children first and he himself starve before seeing his children starve. A leader has to has concerns for his members and not concerns for himself. A leader has to be selfless, not selfish. Truly, the power that is given out is more of a burden than a pleasure. None of you knew of the heartbreak i felt when we got 3rd the first time around in 2001 (most of you were nt in the band then) I felt it was my responsibiltiy, that i had let the band down during the most crucial of times. None of u knew how i almost cried that day, but i was glad that my band member stood by me all the while.
A leader has no personal agenda. Like i said, a leader is selfless, willing to sacrifice himself first in order for others to go on. A true mark of a leader is the passion he has in the cause, the purpose and not the glory that he might get as a leader. A true leader, will always look for the good of the band even if he was not given leadership position. A true leader’s vision is for the cause and not for himself. This is something that you guys might not know, bt i was never always the Drum Major for ACS. in fact, i wasn’t the first person selected to become drum major. And here is the example of a true leader, Keh Hai Chuan. Initially he was first selected to be drum major but later on the position was offered to me. So both he and me discussed and we agreed, that disappointed as we were (only 1 of us could be DM) we would not let it affect our love for the band. No matter how it turned out, we would both work hard and make sure the band would succeed whether we were drum majors or not. That was our responsibility, our obligation to the band for having taught us so many things and given us so many opportunities.No matter if we both din’t get the DM position, we stil loved the band and would not quit but instead gave our best. In the end, he and i, including our friend jordan plus our committee trned out to be a really great bunch of peopleto work with, and we lead the band with a purpose.
during subsequent years, i asked the incoming committee members this question
1) what position you wanted
2) what would happen if you din’t get the position you wanted.
by answering question number 2 itself, would show whether you are a true leader or not and whether you have the maturity, and the leadership skills to lead your equals. Only when your members respect you, will you be an effective leader, and to gain that respect you must realise that leaders are first and foremost servants.
yes, leaders are servants of their members. not the other way around.
so the question of being given leadership and having that taken away does not arise. the position and leadership is an honour,a privilige bestowed. it is not a right or inheritance to be claimed. and as itis given, it can be taken away. but the final question that remains is where is the love for the band? if there is love for the band, even if you are given the lowest postion, you woudln’t mind becuase you are doing something that you enjoy and you love. That is what i honesty feel. And even if you were to take away my positions , responsibilities and make me a normal member, i would be happy…in fact happier for i can make wonderful music and have fun with my brother and sisters.
Leaders are first and foremost servants of their followers.
Leaders only want the best, they do not have an agenda, they have a responsibility towards their followers.
The best situation tho, is these words, which i heard from Mr Val Allan, a man i truly respect
Do not walk behind me, for i do not want to lead you
Do not walk in front of me, for i do not want to follow you
Instead walk beside me, for i want face this challenge together with you
Some people make things happen
Some people watch things happen
Whil others wonder what has happened
-anonymous-
my apologies if i’ve offended anyone. No offence intended.
Kelvin Lim
Drum Major 2000-2001
ACS Band Member 1997-infinity
p/s: i’m glad that there are still many members who love the band and who take great joy in being with the band or smile when they have memories of the band or when we talk of the ‘good old days’
pps: On the other hand, sometimes i feel sad looking at the neglect of the band, Maybe the bandmembers feel they have no responsibility towards anybody, but i feel that you have a responsiblity towards us, your seniors that taught you, to pwerform well. you have an obligation to us to do well.
